Automatic time-controlled switch for electric circuits



I R. B. w. FRANKLIN AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed Jan. 26, 1926 2' Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENIOR. r

A TTORNEYZ.

1927' R. B; w. FRANKLIN AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS Filed Jan. 2 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 N VENTOR.

A TTORNEY.

Patented Fol). 1, 1927.

Bonnier n. w. FRANKLIN, or DALLAS, TEXAS.

AUTOMATIC TIME-CONTROLLED SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC GIRGUITS.

Application filed January 26, 1926. Serial No. 83,810.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in time control mechanism and it refers more particularly to an automatic timecontrolled switch for radio receiving. apparatus, the primary object being to provide a device of the character designated, which may either be included in the construction of the apparatus, or as an attachment thereto, to automatically act upon the radio receiver at intervals in accordance with the set time.

The invention further comprehends, thro'u h a novel earing assembly, a means by which the c ock 'used in combination therewith, may be advantageously wound and set from the front thereof, to expedite both the appearance and function of the assembly.

With these and other novel objects and advantages in view, the invention has particular reference" to the salient features of construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a face view of a clock as modified to accord with the added mechanism embodied in the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of Figurel.

Figure 3 represents a detail view of the alarm muflling means, employed in combination with the switch assembly.

Fi re 4 is a top plan view of Figure 1, showing the switch mechanism thereon.

Figure 5 represents a front elevational view of a radio receiving apparatus in which the invention. is installed, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view in detail of i the top of the clock, likewise showing the switch mechanism.

It being an established practice in radio activities to broadcast a subject at an appointed time and date, an arrangement not heretofore advanced to automatically bring in the sub'ect, as well as to disconnect the lie absence of manual manipulainvention, although manualsetting of the in- I strument to accord with the announced time of the broadcasted subject is necessary Moreover, automatic manipulation of the instrument to disconnect the radio apparatus at a predetermined time is likewise made possible through the use of the present invention.

In proceeding with the foregoing in view, the character 1 designates a housing of any popular clock construction, the latter including in its construction an alarm mechanism, not completely shown herein. Encircling the front of the clock housing 1, is a rim 2, which is suitably apertured to admit a series of winding and setting shafts, as

shown in Figure 1 especially, and later referred to by the usual characters of reference. This rim likewise provides an elongated aperture 3 for the reception of the circuit control lever 4. Particulars concerning 'this aperture will likewise be brought to attention hereinafter.

Now, particular attentionis directed to Figure 2, taken in connection with Figure 3, illustrating the automatic switch and its associated elements. In describing the reversed winding and setting mechanism, the character 5 designates the alarm winding gear 'of the clock mechanism, which enmeshes-With a spur gear 6, disposed upon a shaft 7, the latter being directed to the front of the clock and upon which a suitable winding key 8 is mounted, as in Figure 1. Directly below the alarm winding gear 5, the alarm set gear 9 is disposed which receives its rotation through a spur gear 10, mounted upon a shaft 11, and an intermediate gear 12. This shaftll likewise carries a key 13 on the front of the clock.

In order to effect winding of the mainspring 14 of the clock mechanism from the front of the latter, a spur gear 15 is provided, and which is situated upon a forwardly directed shaft 16, passin also through an aperture in the rim 2 an carrying a key 17 This gear 15 enmes es a similar gear 18, whiich acts directly upon the spring 14 aforesai Setting of the hands 19 on the face of the clock is accomplished by the rotation of the key 20, situated upon shaft 21, upon which a.

gear 22 is disposed, which rotates the central gear 23 through an intermediate gear 24. It will be understood of course that the ratio of gear teeth may be varied to accord with the requirements, as well as the size and position of the gears.

In the Figure 2 the alarm gear 5 is shown as being provided with a suitable do 25, its right hand rotation being ositive w' ile the tension spring 26 permits y eldability thereof in contacting upon reverse rotation, with the switch lever 4, aforementioned. Immediately above the gear 5, but out of the circuitous path of the dog 25, a pair of contact points 27 are mounted upon the clock housing 1, and suitably insulated. These points as is apparent, are bifurcated for the reception of the knife portion 28 of the switch 4, which latter is likewise insulated from the v housing 1 at its pivot point 29.

A storage battery 30, of the type usually employed in connection with radio apparatus provides the necessary current for the operation of the invention. While the character 31 designates the usual tubes employed.

A connection between the two contact points 27 is attained through a wire 32, spanning the binding posts 33 thereof. To the contacting portion of the switch 4, a wire 34 is securedwhich is connected to the tube 31. From the battery 30 a positive wire 35 is connected to the tube 31, and a negative wire 36' to the binding post 33 of the contact point 27.

It is very obvious, therefore, that where the switch 4 is moved to either extreme to engage the contact points 27 a complete circult is made through the wires 32, 34, 35 and 36 to illuminate the tube 31, and when the switch 4 is moved to a neutral position intermediate the contact points 27, the circuit is broken and the described mechanism has no action upon the tube.

Now, in describing the operation of the invention, attention is directed to Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 1, directly below the elongated aperture 3, a suitable indicator 37 is provided with the inscriptions, Time off, Off, Time on and On, or e uiva lent wording. These inscriptions are indicat ive of the action taken upon the mechanism by the position of the switch 4 thereabove. For example, should it be announced that an important program will be broadcasted from a radia station at 9 oclock, the switch 4 is moved to a point in the aperture 3 directly above the inscription, Time on the contact portion 28 thereof assumes a position between the contact points 27 but touching neither.

The key 13 is manipulated to set the alarm hand 38 at the designated time, 9 oclock. At this hours, the alarm mechanism is auto matically set into motion, rotating the wheel 5, upon which the dog 25 is situated. This dog engages the switch 4 throwing the latter into the contact point 27, thus completing a circuit through the battery and tube, bringing in the broadcasting station at this position, the lever indicating On. Proper tuning to eliminate possible interfering stations is of course attained in the usual manner.

During the program, the switch is moved to the other extreme inscribed as Time off. This change. is made to effect automatic disconnection of the radio upon completion of the program by placing the portion 28 of the switch in a position in the opposite contact point 27, preparatory to. engagement therewith by the dog 25. The alarm set hand 38 is moved to indicate the time the apparatus is desired to be shut off. At the designated time, the alarm mechanism is promptly actuated, moving thewheel 5 in the direction of the arrow, whereupon the dog 25 engages with the portion 28 of the switch, moving the same out of the contact point 27, to a neutral position intermediate the said contacts 27. The offset 39, in the elongated aperture 3, very obviously impedes the movement of the opposite end of the switch 4, successfully intercepting and stopping rotation of the wheel 5 to attain the position just described, which obviously breaks the circuit and effects inoperativeness of the clock in so far as its action upon the radio apparatus is concerned. This position is maintained by the mechanism 'untilthe switch lever 4 is manually moved.

Particular attention is directed to the Figure' 2, in which one of the contact points 27 is illustrated as being shorter than the opposite point. This feature permits the conductive portion 28 of the switch 4 to be moved a greater distance in a direction with the travel of the dog 25 than oppositely, thus permitting free passage of the dog thereby, and in winding, will not interfere with free movement of the latter in the reverse direc tion while no particular advanta e is derived from the yieldability of the 0 or detent 25, this arrangement is provi ed for rewinding in event for some reason the switch 4 fails to retard the dog, and ermits the alarm spring to run down. he arrangement,would be uite as effective should the dog he nonyie ldably aflixed' to the wheel 5.

The alarm bell 40, depicted in Figure 2, may be employedif desired, and in order to prevent possible interference during a program or otherwise, by the alarm, a device consisting of a short shaft 41 is providdd, and upon which a knob 42 is situated to be accessible at the front of the clock. A small felt cushion 43 is mounted upon the opposite end of the shaft 41, and by manipulating the latter longitudinally the felt cushion is moved either into or out of the path of the clapper 44 to muflie the bell 40.

It is of course apparent in the manufacture and practice of the invention that equivalent elements may be employed quite as successfully and it should be understood that it is not desired that the present disclosure be limited to the specific arrangement described and shown, and that certain modifications and changes in form and construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An automatic clockand manually ac- Y tuated switch for radio or other electrical circuits including a pivoted insulated lever movable in an aperture between fixed contacts, said lever. arranged to engage either 5 of said contacts to close the circuit and a movement limiting means within said aperture'to stop the lever intermediate said contacts' to break the circuit.

- 2. An automatic clock and manual] con- 10 trolled switch for radio. and other e ectric circuits including an oscillating lever arranged to move within anoelongated aperture intermediate fixed contacts, means to cause said lever to engage said contacts to make the circuit, and means to stop said lever intermediate said contacts to break the circuit.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ROBERT B. W. FRANKLIN. 

